‘Human rights and freedom for all’: Celebrating Narges Mohammadi’s Nobel Peace Prize
On December 10th, 2023, Narges Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for ‘for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all’. Writers, artists, and journalists from the ICORN network took part in the celebrations.
Hero and Frya, Mehdi Mousavi, Arya Aramnejad, and Asieh Amini, amongst others, took part in various parts of the Nobel Peace Prize programme, organised in close collaboration with Norwegian PEN. Several Iranian writers, artists, and journalists in the ICORN network were also guests to the events.
Following the official Nobel Prize award ceremony at 1 pm on December 10th, the Torchlight Procession in honour of the Nobel Peace Prize winner took place at 5 pm. The event started with performances at Oslo’s Jernbanetoget and ended in front of the Grand Hotel.
On stage at the start of the Torchlight Procession amongst other performances, were Kurdish Iranian music duo Hero and Frya and Asieh Amini. Addressing the crowd gathered at the beginning of the Torchlight Procession, Amini reflected on Mohammadi’s Nobel Peace Prize and its significance for the people, and especially women and girls, of Iran:
‘This year’s Nobel Peace Prize is about resilience and hope- two things Narges Mohammadi embodies.
Yes, of course we are proud. How can we not be? The world has its eyes on the sacrifices and struggles of Iranian women, and this Prize owes its credibility to the women and girls, and all the people whose daily lives are a struggle against religious tyranny. The struggle for women’s rights and freedom in Iran today is a symbol for those who believe religion and politics should be separate.
Today, as the world’s media and attention turn towards the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who is in prison, we must speak for all imprisoned journalists, writers, and all those who are in prison for their beliefs and thoughts.’
Hero and Frya performed their song ‘Wara’, inspired by and dedicated to the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement in Iran. Following the stage event, the music duo, together with Ali Dorani (Eaten Fish) and others, led the annual Torchlight Procession. You can watch the stage performances here.
Prior to the official public celebrations, Norwegian PEN held a closed event at Oslo’s Deichman Public Library to celebrate Narges Mohammadi’s Nobel Peace Prize. Present were the family of Narges Mohammadi, the President of the Norwegian Parliament Masoud Gharahkhani, and Iranian writers, artists, and journalists in the ICORN network in Norway, and the ICORN Secretariat.
Dedicated to Mohammadi and her work, Mehdi Mousavi read a poem and Arya Aramnejad performed a song with lyrics written by Mousavi.
The event was hosted and led by Norwegian PEN, including Board Member Asieh Amini, General Secretary Jørgen Watne Frydnes, and Ingeborg Kværne, the National Coordinator for ICORN in Norway.
